150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct!

[BigD]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct!

Ken, That is why I like this group. I know that I won't be perfect, but that is my goal. Shiloh 150 has special meaning for me as my ancestors served on that field with the 70th O.V.I. To be there 150 years later will give me goose-bumps. Thanks to all on this forum who are helping me learn and prevent me from making expensive mistakes. I only have one saddle right now and that is a M1859 Mc, I was thinking of getting a halter/bridle for the CS portion of the ride along with a CS girth and surgicle. I already have a valise. Would the Federal 1859 be OK for the CS portion or should I also consider getting a CS version before Shiloh?

Dennis

[Ken Knopp]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct!

Hello Dennis!

Good question! No, we dont expect "anyone" to purchase a saddle just for this event. However, regarding CS saddles let me put it this way. This was an early war volunteer regiment with already some hard experience in battle, march and campaign. They also had alot of opportunity to obtain various types of saddles and wanted to project as military an appearance as possible but given the widely varying conditions of volunteer recrutiment and equipment issue in the South at the time, by no means would they be uniform. While a 59 Mac is acceptable (note: proper components and hardware delineates a 59 from the 64) I hope far fewer rather than greater numbers of troopers will ride one. If folks will think of their impression (pre-war vocation, etc.) and plan this out then "first" try to obtain something different.....i.e. various asundry civilian saddles, CS Macs of the Nashville pattern etc. etc. Beg, borrow before buying (or stealing).

As for the 11th Illinois....a different approach is necessary. Our effort is to be an early war, recently recruited and equipped volunteer western cavalry regiment. Although it is uncertain, in general, this regiment would very likely have been recently issued all the same type equipments. So, in our "chosen" approach here we want to be as uniform as possible (with some limitations). Therefore, we "prefer" and strongly suggest a 59 Federal Mac but (as someone asked recently) if one cannot borrow a good 59 mac, then an early war Federal Ranger saddle would be accepted (NOTE! NOT a russet leather Texas saddle!!

AGain, we are not trying to portray just the average western CS or Federal trooper....but rather, the average Forrest's cavarly and 11th Illinois trooper. As such, we have to set guidelines and limitations to achieve the right look. Their appearance was very much a matter of pride to the men of each of these regiments. It should also be for us as we portray them.

Ken R Knopp

[Mike Ventura]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct!

Ken, if you are 'splainin' online, I can only imagine how the off line chatter is going!

[forrestcav]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct!

anyone got a pic of a federal ranger saddle. I think i've seen one. I just want some clarification. Also do they predate the war and by how much. I figure with my vocation (blacksmith/ farmer) would probally dictate a texas, muley or maybe wagon saddle. But I could see perhaps in my youth I ran off for several years to fight indians and see the west, so maybe i may have returned home on a ranger saddle.

[wavey1us]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct!

If you go to the below link, it is the on-line version of Man Made Mobile. You can look at:

Pg 41, Figure 24
Pg 47, Figure 30, 31
Pg 61, Figure 46

These can give you some ideas.

http://si-pddr.si.edu/dspace/handle/10088/2438

[Mike Ventura]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct!

Bill - Thank you!!

This is fabulous!!!! Just scanning some stuff and saw the picture of Thornton Grimsley - one severe looking dude!

[wavey1us]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct!

The book is great. When a pard and I were doing research on the 1st US Dragoons, 1830s, we used some of the descriptions and references in the book to research the saddles used by the Dragoons.

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct!

Bill, Did I read or hear somewhere Ft. Sill or Ft. Riley has an original Ranger saddle in their museum collection? I know I've seen an image of it, but I don't remember where... I know they claim it's original and I was suprised at that... Z

[forrestcav]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct!

I've rolling the idea of a different type of saddle around in my head for years. every time I decide on one, three show up in my unit. I've always had a fondness for the texas saddles. I think the ranger saddle would fit the bill for me. I think it would make a good early war western federal saddle and a good early war civilian/CS saddle.

[michael.shafto]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct!

I am on Fort Riley and will ask the museum if they have an original Ranger Saddle. If so, I will get pictures and share with the group.

[Mark Choate]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct!

Gentlemen,

I want to take this opportunity to update this thread with information regarding registration for the 150th Shiloh event that we have formed the adjunct with. This event has created more interest and momentum than any in a long time and with good reason. There are some very unique opportunities to participate in. I ask that you go back and read the description of the event as well as the authenticity guidelines that we have set and if it is your intent to participate in the Cavalry portion that we have put together, then here are the registration points you will need.

As stated, the “triple crown” jewels of this event are 1) The Corinth to Shiloh ride/march, 2) The battle on actual ground of Fallen Timbers, and 3) Providing the mounted escort for the troops of the 15th Iowa that will be arriving at Pittsburg Landing via the paddle boat.

There is no registration for the Corinth/Shiloh ride, however the ones putting this together are holding their own authenticity guidelines and while they are leaving us to police our own, they do request that you email them and give them your name, intent to participate and unit affiliation. Please send your email to Keith Willingham at: unclekeith16@aol.com If it is of benefit to you, you are welcome to list affiliation with 7th Tennessee Cavalry, Co. D. for continuity. You will need to arrive by Wednesday afternoon, March 28, if you wish to participate in this. I will send out more as to rations and preparation later.

As to the actual Shiloh event, there are still “officially” two going on, but the one that we will will be working with is hosted by the Blue/Gray Alliance. You can register for this by going to this link:

http://www.cleburnes-division.com/registration.aspx?EventID=7

Again, if you wish to list affiliation with the 7th Tenn Cav., Co. D. for continuity, then that will be fine.

The basic layout for this is as follows:

a) Wed. afternoon you arrive for Corinth ride. You will receive instructions as to where to go to unload. Authenticity inspection (conducted by Ken Knopp) will take place at this time.Then trailers will be returned to event site and shuttles will bring drivers back.
b) Thurs morning we will step off and complete about 70% of ride that day and camp in campaign setting that evening.
c)Friday morning, we will complete the ride and that afternoon we will enter the grounds that Forrest engaged Sherman in the battle of Fallen Timbers. Up to this point, impression has been C.S.
d)After the battle, we will return to the trailers, retool and change our impression to that of the 11th Illinois Cavalry. Inspection of Federal impression will be done at this time and then we will make the ride to Pittsburg Landing where we will camp in campaign setting.
e) As the Iowa troops arrive during the wee hours and on into the mid-morning via the paddle-boat we will then form up and provide their escort back to the battlefield. This is really an honor for us to do this as we were specifically asked to do this by the WIG and I have found out that there are many other cavalry groups that are wanting to do this, but are being told that it is a “private shop.”
f) Late Saturday we will arrive at main event site. More information will be given later.

If you wish to participate in this momentous event, please follow these directions and time frames. The geography that will be covered in all of this is massive and this will NOT be taking place on a "large football field' like they had at Manassas. We will ride approximately 23 miles on the Corinth/Shiloh portion and then it is several more miles to Pittsburg Landing and then back again on Saturday. Make certain that you and your mount are in top shape. It won't be 105 as it was in Manassas, but you will be riding over large areas of ground.............But hey, we are cavalry and that is what we do!!

So, go back and read the guidelines, check your schedules, get registered, get in shape and we will see you next Spring at the bloody Battle of Shiloh!! If I can be of service or if you have questions, please contact me.

regards,
Mark

[Mike Ventura]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct!

Mark and All:

As much as i would absolutely love to attend this event, I now plan to be in Quantico, VA on 30 March 2012 to watch the commissioning of our own Dan Chmelar as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, assuming that he doesn't screw it up ;-) Congrats Dan!

[Ken Knopp]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct!

WOW! Now, this is cool. Dan, you have my congrats and my deep respect.

Ken R Knopp

[IowaYank]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct!

Thanks guys! Can't wait to get out there! It's almost been a year long process to get selected, time to get to it!!!

[volcav]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct!

Congratulations